Azkals trio boosts Global’s AFC bid

UNABLE to see action for the national football team in the last tournament, the trio of Misagh Bahadoran, Jeff Christiaens and Patrick Reichelt hope to make the most out of their chance in another big international tournament.

Bahadoran, Christiaens and Reichelt hope to seize the moment when the reigning United Football League champion competes in the most prestigious competition a Filipino club has played in, the AFC President’s Cup, from May 8 to 12 in Cebu.

The three standouts didn’t play in the recent AFC Challenge Cup, where the majority of the Europe-based Azkals were tapped to play against Cambodia and Turkmenistan.

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The tournament will also be a homecoming of sorts for Reichelt, who traces his roots in Argao, Cebu, and reserve goalkeeper Paolo Pascual, a proud son of Cebu City.

Coach Brian Reid is confident they can make an impact in the tournament.

“They’re good, young players who understand their importance in the team,” said Reid. “We need a good performance from them if we want to go further in the tournament.”

Global actually has a bevy of national players in the side with Carli de Murga, Ed Sacapano, Marwin and Marvin Angeles and Joshua Beloya in the lineup for the tournament scheduled at Cebu City Sports Complex.

The team has also recalled Juani Guirado and tapped Ivorian goalkeeper Moussa Sanogo and Polish defender Ben Starosta as their two designated foreign players.

The UFL titlists face Yeedzin of Bhutan in the tournament opener on Wednesday, before battling Pakistan league champions KRL on Friday. Dordoi Bishkek of Kyrgyzstan is Global’s last assignment on May 12.